Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico – A celebration of Mexican culture is on its way, as the 33rd Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charrería (International Mariachi and Charrería Meeting) returns to Jalisco. From August 26 to September 6, 2026, the state will be filled with the joyful sounds of mariachi music and captivating displays of horsemanship.
The annual festival, which began in 1994, is a cherished tradition honoring two of Mexico’s most beloved cultural treasures: mariachi and charrería. Over 12 days, top mariachi groups and skilled charro teams from Mexico and around the world will gather in Guadalajara and communities throughout the state for concerts, galas, equestrian events and other cultural activities.
The festival’s international character reflects how mariachi has grown far beyond Mexico’s borders. UNESCO has recognized mariachi as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the annual encounter continues to bring musicians and audiences together through a tradition born in Jalisco.
This year’s festival will feature performers from Mexico and the United States, Colombia, France, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Cuba. More than 170 activities are planned, with nearly 95% offered free of charge. Events will take place in public plazas, theaters and other community spaces throughout Jalisco, including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, Tepatitlán, Ciudad Guzmán, Arandas and San Juan de los Lagos, as well as the state’s 11 Pueblos Mágicos.
Mariachi Comes to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta will be one of the communities joining the celebration with a free Mariachi Concert on August 27 at 7:30 pm at the Los Arcos Amphitheater. Set against one of the city’s most recognizable coastal backdrops, the performance will offer residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the music that has become one of Mexico’s most recognizable cultural symbols.
In Guadalajara, Plaza Liberación will host nearly 50 public performances from August 26 through 30, featuring international mariachi groups, traditional Mexican singers and guest performers.
One of the festival’s highlights will be the “100 Years” Public Gala on August 30 at 6 pm at Plaza Liberación. The concert will honor three influential Mexican composers – José Alfredo Jiménez, Rubén Fuentes and Tomás Méndez – whose centennials would have been celebrated in 2026. Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán, Mariachi Internacional CHG, Mariachi Sol de América and Mariachi Corona will perform alongside the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.
Celebrating the Tradition of Charrería
While mariachi remains at the heart of the festival, charrería holds an equally important place in Jalisco’s cultural heritage.
The Charro Championship on September 5 at the Lienzo Charro Nito Aceves will feature three competitions showcasing some of Mexico’s finest teams. Year after year, top charros gather in Guadalajara hoping to claim the trophy and the title of champion in this prestigious competition.
Charros have long been recognized as Mexican cultural icons. Their horsemanship, skill and daring are reflected in folk songs, paintings and films, while the traditional suertes charras showcase the discipline and abilities developed through generations of ranching and equestrian practices.
More than a sport, charrería brings together horsemanship, working skills, training, music and traditions that have been passed down through generations. For many Mexicans and people of Mexican heritage, it remains a meaningful source of pride and a celebration of the country’s rural roots and cultural identity.
After more than three decades, the International Mariachi and Charrería Encounter continues to celebrate traditions that have become symbols of Jalisco and Mexico. From Guadalajara’s historic plazas to mountain villages and coastal communities, the 2026 edition will bring together music, horses and Mexican heritage in a statewide celebration that honors the roots of these traditions while sharing them with audiences from around the world.
For more information, and the full schedule of 33rd International Mariachi and Charro Festival activities, concerts and events, visit mariachi-jalisco.com, or the Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charrería Facebook page.
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